Wildfire near Yosemite prompts mandatory evacuation

Officials in northern California have ordered thousands to evacuate ahead of a wildfire burning just outside Yosemite National Park. The blaze has scorched 39 square miles, feeding on the vegetation that sprang up after drought-busting winter rains. About 2,000 residents in Mariposa fled ahead of the fire, which is threatening at least 1,500 homes. Yosemite remains open, but park rangers have closed several roads often used by tourists. The fire, which started Sunday and has drawn 1,400 firefighters to the area, was just 5 percent contained by the end of Tuesday. The cause remains under investigation. Fires have plagued communities across the West already this summer, and at least one major blaze continues to burn in Nevada.